Men's Clothing from 1700 (2024)

FAQs

What did people wear in the 1700s men? ›

“At the beginning of the 18th century the male silhouette differed greatly from that of today. A typical outfit consisted of a full-skirted knee-length coat, knee breeches, a vest or long waistcoat (which could be sleeved), a linen shirt with frills and linen underdrawers.

Working-class people in 18th century England and America often wore the same garments as fashionable people—shirts, waistcoats, coats and breeches for men, and shifts, petticoats, and dresses or jackets for women—but they owned fewer clothes and what they did own was made of cheaper and sturdier fabrics.

Coats and jackets were the types of outer garments worn by men in the 18th century. Coats and jackets were worn over the shirt and waistcoat. Typically, coats were constructed of wool, linen, velvet, silk, or fabric blends.

Advancing into 1810, the fashion for simple, well-cut clothing—in the manner of Beau Brummell—had become very much the norm. Men of the upper-classes continued to wear double-breasted dress coats of fine wool and light-coloured waistcoats over white linen shirts.

Men in this time period did not wear long pants. Their pants, called "breeches", came to just below the knee. They had a button fly and pockets and often buttoned at the knee as well.

The tricorne or tricorn is a style of hat that was popular during the 18th century, falling out of style by the early 1800s, though not called a "tricorne" until the mid-19th century. During the 18th century, hats of this general style were referred to as "co*cked hats".

Fashion in the period 1700–1750 in European and European-influenced countries is characterized by a widening silhouette for both men and women following the tall, narrow look of the 1680s and 90s. This era is defined as late Baroque/Rococo style.

A man's wardrobe was simpler – shirt, breeches, often made of leather, waistcoat and a heavy wool coat were the usual attire along with a handkerchief, stockings and hat. Boots and shoes were made of leather, though women might also own shoes with uppers made of worsted stuffs.

Colonial men wore clothes of wool and linen with some leather accessories. Their long linen shirts were worn with breeches, short pants that fasten just below the knee. Woolen socks came up over the knees, and a leather jerkin, a type of vest, was often worn over the shirt.

The men would wear a long linen shirt that went down to their knees. It was an undergarment and it was worn as a night shirt when they went to bed. The buttoned vest worn over the shirt was called a waistcoat.

What did men wear in 1787? ›

The informal styles for men and women that were introduced in the previous decade were firmly entrenched by 1780s. For the former, the frock coat with a high turned-down collar and wide lapels, hip-length sleeveless waistcoat, and breeches that outlined the shape of the thighs dominated men's daytime wardrobes.

Overview. Throughout the period, men continued to wear the coat, waistcoat, and breeches. However, changes were seen in both the fabric used as well as the cut of these garments. More attention was paid to individual pieces of the suit, and each element underwent stylistic changes.

Colonial. Ditto Suit - The ditto suit featured a jacket, vest, and trousers made from the same fabric. The new style was characterized by a loose-fitting jacket which hung straight from the shoulders with no seam or fitting at the waist.

Peasant Clothing

Peasant men wore stockings or tunics, while women wore long gowns with sleeveless tunics and wimples to cover their hair. Sheepskin cloaks and woolen hats and mittens were worn in winter for protection from the cold and rain. Leather boots were covered with wooden patens to keep the feet dry.

The luxurious outfit that men from the 18th century nobility would wear, the habit à la française, is composed of a coat, waistcoat, and breeches. It also included a pair of silk stockings, a jabot, a linen or cotton shirt with decorative cuffs, and a cravat (a neckcloth).

Toddlers wore washable dresses called frocks of linen or cotton. British and American boys after perhaps three began to wear rather short pantaloons and short jackets, and for very young boys the skeleton suit was introduced.

Older boys wore clothes similar to those of young men, but some young boys wore so-called “l*ttle Lord Fauntleroy” velvet suits with lace collars and cuffs and with their hair dressed long in curls. Little girls wore dresses that were shorter than those of adult women but otherwise similar.

Overview. Throughout the period, men continued to wear the coat, waistcoat, and breeches. However, changes were seen in both the fabric used as well as the cut of these garments. More attention was paid to individual pieces of the suit, and each element underwent stylistic changes.

Men were usually in charge of all the finances involved in the household and did most of the work to financially support the family. It was common for a man to be well educated and have work outside of the household.